milling

psychology

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "milling" has two primary meanings. In psychology, it refers to a period of agitated, aimless movement within a group, similar to how cattle might mill before a stampede. This behavior occurs before collective action and helps people become aware of each other, develop a shared mood and interpretation of a situation, and begin to redefine behavioral rules.1

Separately, "milling" can also mean to reduce something to fine particles, such as grinding grain into flour. This definition is related to processes like crushing, pounding, or pulverizing.2

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collective behavior
Milling
Prior to most instances of collective behavior there is a period during which people move about in a somewhat agitated but aimless way. Early students of crowd behavior, struck by the resemblance to the milling of cattle before a stampede, gave this form of…
Read More
Prior to most instances of collective behavior there is a period during which people move about in a somewhat agitated but aimless way. Early students of crowd behavior, struck by the resemblance to the milling of cattle before a stampede, gave this form of…
Read More